So when I was offered a guest post by plan mavens HousePlans.co, I thought it would make for a great Four Favorites. Which one is yours? I’m a Cottage lover myself!
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House Plans Intro
One of the best ways to save money on building a new home is to opt for pre-designed house plans. Not only are they much more affordable than hiring a designer, but they can be easily customized to suit an individual family’s needs. They’re also readily available online – our site alone features more than 600 different designs in a broad range of architectural styles.
It’s always interesting to look at which styles are trending, particularly given the current economy. Here’s a look at some of our favorite – and most popular – house design trends:
Craftsman
Developed during the Arts and Crafts movement between 1876 and 1915, the Craftsman home was strongly favored by the rising American middle class. This style typically features a distinctive hip roof, wide sash windows, deeply overhanging eaves and a front porch. Today, the simplicity and artistic touches found in Craftsman home plans such as The Newmarket continue to make this style one of the most sought-after in the U.S.
Contemporary
Featuring sleek lines and a connection to the outdoors, modern house plans such as The Norcutt are a top choice among those who want to build an environmentally friendly home. Contemporary house plans offer homeowners efficient use of space; high ceilings; windows that maximize natural light levels; flexibility in design, and aesthetically-pleasing shapes and angles.
Cottage
Cottage-style house plans like The Gutenburg are seeing a revival in popularity, thanks to their storybook appeal. Cottage homes not only exude the inviting charm of an English country home, but they’re simple, affordable and designed to reduce energy costs – all ideal characteristics in today’s economy.
Narrow Lot House Plans
Land is expensive, and today’s plots are much smaller than they used to be. That’s why narrow lot house plans like The Madewood are increasingly valued for their ability to maximize the amount of livable space. Narrow lot house plans allow you to add multiple stories to expand your square footage – much like the homes often seen in Europe.
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HousePlans.co is the online home of Alan Mascord Design Associates’ house plan collection. Find more than 600 floor plans in a variety of styles from Craftsman to Victorian to Contemporary.
Images: All supplied by HousePlans.co .
Bungalow houses not only express the attractive appeal of an British country home, but they are simple, cost-effective and designed to reduce energy costs – all ideal features in today's current economic climate.
ReplyDeleteI agree entirely. Thanks for visiting, and for your thoughts.
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